Exclusive ships have the same record as exclusive factions do. Not that I disliked the Phantoms, but most people do. I did dislike Mon'Star's cruiser, though. Persephone was also silly, but I think that's more a reflection on who it belonged to.
Frankly, I just want a damn Liberty Heavy Cruiser subclass ship that I can actually use. I've been waiting for it since I rejoined the [LN] all those years ago and it still hasn't happened yet.
As long as Liberty gets an open use many gun heavy cruiser, I'm fine with you (or anyone else for that matter) getting a unique ship.
I don't know what the precedent set might be, but then if I were in your position, I would probably be pushing for exactly the same thing.
As I'm trying to set up another LSF faction too, I might just be in your position a couple months from now. If what I'm doing gains any traction, that is.