Dead on side of the road ! ! ! Help !

With the key in the run position, I see 1.5 volts between the coil's "plug wire" and ground. Is that normal??

You talking about the high tension tower, or the coil NEG. 1.5 or less from coil neg to ground I would say "normal."

Try disconnecting the tach if you have one connected.

Repeat.....wiggle all connectors. Might be distributor just as easy.