Put a model in, in time, very close (8)
I believe the answer is:
intimate
'very close' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'put a model in in time' is the wordplay.
'put' is an insertion indicator.
'model' becomes 'T' (Ford Model T car).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'in'+'time'='intime'
't' going into 'intime' is 'intimte'.
'a' inserted inside 'intimte' is 'INTIMATE'.
(Other definitions for intimate that I've seen before include "Tip off" , "Close acquaintance" , "Bosom" , "Friendly" , "Closely acquainted" .)