the distributor doesn't see volts it sees the
coil output amps [at hundreds of volts!] - the distributor is the same for 6 or 12V, but you do need a 12V coil .... simply put, the reason for reducing the voltage to the coil under operating conditions is to keep the coil cooler and to lessen the arcing on the points so they last longer, the same thing can be accomplished with a newer style coil that has the resistance internally, in which case you don't need an
external ignition resistor .... also when the engine is running that 11V will be much lower

Bill