Ballast Resistor Why?

GM used a ballast resistor similar to the mopar,, with the resistor bypass being the second small wire on the starter solenoid, at the starter...

Ford used a 1.4 ohm resistor wire (pink) in the harness to reduce voltage,, with the resistor bypass being the second small wire on the black solenoid mounted on the inner fender or similar..

The resistors knocked the voltage down to approx 9.6v.. to lengthen point life..