The thing most folks miss (or ignore) is the fact that battery voltage is not constant. It can vary from around 9V on a cold (or very hot) start due to the current draw of the starter, and can be a maximum of 14.5 V or a little more with the charging system working against a fully charged battery.
A coil designed to protect the points from overcurrent at 14 volts will produce a VERY weak spark, or none at all with low battery voltage during a hard start. GM compromised by installing a coil that will work at 9V with the resistor bypassed during startup, and installed a resistor for point protection during cruise with a fully-charged battery and 14.5 volts from the charging system. Smart guys, those designers!
Then some self-appointed "expert" comes along and declares himself smarter than the guys who spent millions of dollars on research and development and declares the resistor isn't necessary.- - - - -Go figure!
Jerry
