Auto item gives admirer clout (3-4)

I believe the answer is:

fan-belt

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'auto item' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'admirer clout' is the wordplay.
'admirer' becomes 'fan' (fan is a kind of admirer).
'clout' becomes 'belt' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'fan'+'belt'='FAN-BELT'

'gives' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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