[rsk289]

OK, post a pic and I'll see if it triggers any sixties Brit memories. I too know nothing of coil-spring cars.
The windings sound like a good idea, although such a thing was never done in period as far as I know. A few years back the bulbholder fell out of the back of my WL12 ign lamp, and shorted on the frame. This popped the diode pack in the alternator which wasn't very helpful.