[johnta1]

Change the condenser in the distributor. it keeps the points from burning up too quickly.

Is the resistor wire under the dash?

I think the 69 didn't have the yellow wire from starter to distributor.
The ignition switch on column to the firewall has the yellow and black/pink connect at the inside firewall connector. So I would think the switch is 'bad' letting full voltage go the firewall at all times?
(if Kenth's suggestion checks out)

Could check the voltage of the black/pink wire under dash to see what the voltage is and/or see if the yellow wire has 12 volts in 'run' position. (it should not have 12 volts on 'run')

[north]

It’s a 69. The resistor wire is in the dash harness. It is a milky grey color and actually has resistor printed faintly along its length. It is all obviously original. I unplugged the ignition switch and sent 12 volts through the resistor wire and got full voltage at the coil.

I wonder if a resistor wire can fail by not resisting rather than simply cracking and not transmit any power? Perhaps somewhere near the ignition switch the yellow wire (non resistor cranking ignition supply) is making contact with the resistor wire and allowing full voltage to reach the engine harness wire to the coil?

I’m thinking I might take a resistor wire from another old dash harness.and temporarily connect it instead of the original and see if that does the trick.

[johnta1]

That should work.

When you take the wire out, see what it looks like under the insulation?