Or maybe the bar of the apparent 'T' is a screw holding the plate on.
It's certainly possible to get a TD5 looking like that in a short space of time. A farmer neighbour of a friend in Wales did that with his by using it as a universal gate opening tool and manure carrier for several years. He had a bad back so didn't like getting out of the driving seat. The impression of dilapidation was enhanced by his lively dogs who always travelled with him, so the dung was spread up the inside, including the windows and headlining. The latter, as well as his seats had been well chewed. He didn't have it long enough to achieve the quaint stepped effect on the rear crossmember as the middle section separated from the ends, but as he eschewed all rust protection, the moist Welsh climate, salty roads and acidic manure would have done the job eventually.
