Thank you, HealthServices. Check for 12v at the coil (or at the coil side of the ballast?) while key on START. If yes, check and if necessary re-gap points. That is the order in which I will proceed, I think. It is a cast-iron Mopar dual-point distributor currently in the car. Would not point gap have to be WAY off (or points just destroyed) to not even receive a hiccup while starting?

Thank you for the assistance. At least I have some ideas for when I attack the problem.