That 57 is a nice score,,,,and if i were you i'd go down to my local parts store and pic up a new 'Points set' Cap and Rotor,,,,they are the most basic of all the chevy parts,,,easy to find,,,,maybee swap out the Coil from another engine you know to be working.
Get yourself a Chiltons or Haynes book from the library and do the job right the first time.
The problem with the fuses wont have anything to do with starting the car.
And the wire under the steering column could be the neutral safety switch like you say,,if it's automatic transmision.
Like the other guy's said,,,Make damn sure you got that car in neutral or park,,,and maybee put some wheel blocks in front and behind the tires,,,,you dont want it jumping into gear unexpectedly.

Originally posted by sanpedro
looks like I am not getting any power to the coil? SOme fuses are missing, I am trynig to find out what size (amp) fuses go in the box. Also, it looks like the wires are disconnected on the steering column that keep the car from stating while it is in gear(auto) Am i headed in the right direction?

sanpedro