If this is really a 1998 model - and both case and bridge speak for that - then that bass was basically a prototype for the more recent series. Certainly closer to that (maho body and neck, TB Plus guitar size buckers) than to the early 80ies ones (alder and maple, Ripper pups). Way overpriced though, I'm not bidding.
Wonder if Tetsu Yamauchi had something to do with this one being special ordered. He collected Flying V basses for a while, but could never be seen with one (whwther it was with Free, The Faces or Rod Stewart).