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Total numbers like 3 and -3 and get a zero(8)
Triple def

With muscle and backbone, Clay's the greatest (8)

Perfect oblate spheroid's original uniform rocky formation (8)

Hi folks, many thanks for your entries so far particularly the industrious paul. Apologies, but it'll now be after 6 when I post the result.

Utter "short drink with an e" (8)

A total of 22 clues from 11 setters, thanks to all who submitted entries. I was about to register my surprise at not seeing a particular Voddy appearing, cheers fiery. I know it's regularly said by hosts but again I'm blown away by the ingenuity shown and range of devices used.

Each clue has something to commend it but regrettably time won't allow me to comment on them individually. However, touches I like include paul's unqualified sailor and lost beau in context, possibly original ? certainly unusual homophone indicator "on the tube" and use of bullshit, fiery's plunder and Clapton homage, tyke51's asbo => abso with chrise's zero only to be expected given his background.

3 clues have given me "problems" for various reasons, itemised because otherwise they would at the least have been shortlisted, and I accept my judgement is just that, mine and possibly mine alone and I apologise if I'm wrong in my reasoning for not considering them further:
paul @ 10; "taking look in mirror" again nice in context and what's there reads well but I'm not seeing a definition.
dorrien @ 21; tremendous idea, reads well, obviously arithmetically sound but it's my understanding the value of numbers can be absolute rather than the numbers themselves.
peterm @ 19; this has given me the biggest dilemma and I've swithered greatly over this, so much so I've sought the opinion of another crossword "buff" (who's not a forum cluesmith) but I can't express my admiration enough as to the device used, extremely well hidden and innovative to say the least. I was willing to overlook the slightly disparate surface but I feel it would really have to be "outsets & butts", genuinely sorry as this "could have been a contender".

Clues that made my shortlist but not quite making the podium are paul @ 2, kt17 @ 14 (both carmakers a good spot), malcolmxword @ 11, mattrom @ 22 and BBM2 @ 23.

Joint runners up are mattrom @ 6 and dorrien @ 17 to aristo @ 20 with his

One from six-pack in case with seal that's complete

The link to your prize is somewhat tenuous (absolute - in black and white !); some of Aubrey Beardsley's work

https://youtu.be/uAPziD32gMo

Really enjoyed reading and parsing all your clues but this was most definitely my hardest call to date, until next week, cheers.

Congrats aristo and thanks ginge

Thanks for the word and the time spent on the critiques Ginge, much appreciated.
Congrats Aristo
I am flummoxed by Peterm's entry. Any help?

Hi dorrien,
b)ab(y + a)s(k + f)o(r + g)lute(n

Very clever, now you'll see my dilemma.

Congratulations Aristo, much deserved!

Lovely word to play with Ginge, many thanks.