You would be surprised at how many gallons of Coleman fuel I pass up at garage sales. One guy gave one unopened gallon and another half gallon just to get it out of his garage.
So this is very cool. I was able to obtain a Toyota licensed GPA (gas pressure appliance). It's a little known fact that Toyota licensed a stove design from Coleman (basically a 502) but it was an option with Certain Toyota vehicles delivered in the late 1970s and 80's. They were painted the same color as the vehicle and came with a special certificate. These were assembled in Japan from USA parts, but of course they selected only the best parts and assembled them by hand while wearing white gloves. This was only done for non-USA markets, kind of like diesels.
I finally saw one on the Melbourne Australia Craig's list and a local cruiser dude there got it for me and shipped it from Melbourne.
Check out this epic stove-likely the only one in the USA.
Fortunately, this one is the same color as my FJ60-they must have used the same colors in Oz.
Anyway, this Toyota 502 is going to be my morning coffee brewer for years to come.
I hear, but cannot confirm, that Freeborn Red is also an available color.
You got lucky. All the Aussie models I looked at were beat to $#!%. I did find a red one on eBay Canada that looks promising. Tracking shows it's out for delivery. If it's there when I go home for lunch I'll post up some pics.
So to come clean on the 502s, FJ60Cam has made it his life's work to rehab 502s. The Toyota ones are works of art. He sent me the blue one for sending him the 426C and the gift was greatly appreciated. I fired mine up tonight and it works great. It is a tremendous gift and I appreciate it very much. I think it's close enough to April 1. So Rusty Dan had it right.
I would like to give away my old 502. This 502 has made coffee in Death Valley, The Rubicon Trail, Dusy Ershim, Moab and beyond. It is the absolute best for making quick hot water in the morning. It lights fast, is very fuel efficient and all around perfect for heating coffee water off the grid. You could cook with it if so inclined, but the surface is small.
Here it is:
And in the wild:
If you don't have a 502 and want one (and who wouldn't), I would like to give you my "old" 502. Send me a PM that you want the 502 AND where you plan to use it in the wild, and I'll send it to you. You get a triple chance if your birthday is 2/76, which is when the stove was made. That's it. No shipping, no hassle. It will come serviced and ready to add Coleman fuel and cook your camp dinner, or your morning coffee. These are great stoves and it's a huge shame they don't still make them. I'll keep the PMs and pick a random 502 recipient in a week or so. Long term, you have an obligation to post a picture of it in use back on this thread.
So a huge shout out to FJ60Cam. Many thanks for the "Toyota" 502. It's awesome. I will use it every trip for as long as it works. It is a very thoughtful gift and I'll use it in that spirit.
I need some help with a date! I pulled down my 200A lantern, from the rafters, to get it in shape and can't find a date anywhere. No stamping on the bottom and only the 200A on the collar. I read where some didn't have a date, is this one of them.
Also, has anyone ever seen a handle like this one?
Thanks everyone, as I've really been enjoying this thread.
...If you want one (and who wouldn't), I would like to give you my "old" 502. You get a triple chance if your birthday is 2/76, which is when the stove was made...
I'm not seeing anything. I could wire wheel it, get some paint off. Not sure if I want to expose bare metal, though. I'm going to leave the outside, the way it is, no restore. I'll rebuild the working parts, but I like the old look.
FJ60Cam has offered to customize the giveaway 502. Custom color, TEQ badging, the works. The stove is already super clean, not rusty, totally working/serviced with a newish generator.
So if you don't have a 502, and you'll use it, and eventually post a picture here, send me a PM that includes where you eventually plan to use it.
So the improved giveaway is this...I'll send the stove to Cam, he will work his magic and send it to you. Send me a PM and a winner will be announced in a week or so. In the mean time, I'll get it boxed and ready to go.