Ambassadeur 2500C IAR (A-A25-IAR-M-055-N-R)

The Prototype Ambasdadeur 2500C: This is a black-framed, TiN-treated line guide and grooved Ambassadeur 2500C deep-gray sideplate with clear, protective lacquer applied through electrophoresis.

Produced between 2003 and 2004 with the 1997 black Ambassadeur 2500CI frames, this unique piece had a foot number which was used exclusively for the Gray Ambassadeur 2500CIAR instead of the common 070007 foot number which was used extensively for 7 other Ambassadeur 2500CI models.

No much was known on how these prototype found its way to the back room of the ABU shop but what we do know is that a local collector managed to negotiate its release from the shop sometime in 2008, before another acquired it in a swap thereafter.

How many of these beauties were produced remained a mystery, though I have only personally saw 2 of these throughout my collection years; with one in Japan and the other one featured here.