<VV> Strange Electrical Problem

[Jim Houston]

For the last couple of months, when I start my '65 Monza (110/4spd), 
SOMETIMES nothing happens when I turn the key.  A few tries, and then it 
would start and all would be well.  Last week, I had left the car at my 
daughters house for the weekend and when I left to go home, I started it 
and at the first corner, it died.  Attempted restart -- nothing... no 
amount of trying would make it start.  The radio had no power, nor did 
the electric gauges (including a voltmeter).   I pushed it back to her 
house and checked the infamous "Red Wire Connection" and it appears fine 
- no burning, no corrosion, both sides of the plug look fine.  Still 
nothing.  It was getting late, so I called it a day and took her Honda 
home.  I did NOT check the headlights at that time.  I went out 
yesterday to give it another try.  First thing, I checked the headlights 
and they came on.  I concluded the problem was in the ignition switch.  
Tried the ignition/start "one more time" and it started.  Shut it off, 
and then nothing.  Also, no headlights this time!!  I was laying under 
the dash attempting to replace the ignition switch, and the courtesy 
lights came on all of a sudden....  surprise!  Tried the start (with the 
switch hanging below the dash) and it started!  Took it home - 12 miles 
- (with a Honda following me, just in case) and had no problem.  When 
arrived home, tried start a couple of times, and all was fine.  My 
question is :  should I perform the "bypass surgery" even though the 
connection appears okay?  Could it be doing weird things?  Or, could it 
be the CB that is installed between the battery and the 3way connector 
on the frame rail?  Any help or suggestions would be appreciated as I'm 
a bit leery of taking any trips until I find and fix the problem (I hate 
it when things "fix" themselves!).  

Jim Houston
Tampa, FL