Late 1960s and early 70s GM vehicles with point-type distributors use a nickel/chrome resistance wire from the ignition switch to the coil to drop the voltage to the coil primary winding, instead of a ceramic resistor. The wire is about 10 feet long, and actually doubles over on itself inside the harness. It also is stiff, silvery-colored, not copper, only has a few strands, and has woven fiberglass insulation. I guess the GM engineers thought it was an "improvement"!
Jerry
