Thanks to all! It sounds like my components (new solenoid and ignition switch) may all be working correctly, then. I suspect the problem lies in the distributor (mine has only one wire, not the Opus, and no amplifier is there, so it's not the CEI, either unless the PO modified the connections beyond recognition). If the points are causing the problem, once I've opened the distributor, what should i be looking for to validate this....and fix it. OR there's just a short somewhere.
I'm not up to installing a distributor myself...setting timing, etc. But, before I pay someone to do the install and/or trace a short I cannot find, I will look to the wires dangling from under my dash. Not sure if they'd create a short that would cause the symptoms I've experienced, but all the wires that connect to the stereo/speaker cabinet have been disconnected and are bundled up until I can recover the housing and reinstall it. I'll separate everything and try again. Hopefully, I'll find a simple short there. It not, I'll trailer her over to the local Brit shop for a diagnostic and repair.
Wish me luck!!! I'm really looking forward to taking her out for a spin with that new interior and mahogany steering wheel.