On the surface it's a display vehicle (6)
I believe the answer is:
afloat
'on the surface' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a display vehicle' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'float' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'it's' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for afloat that I've seen before include "On the surface" , "At sea, drifting aimlessly" , "At sea - in circulation" , "On board at sea, on ship" , "Borne on the water" .)