Hi again,

I just recalled that as I turned the key to restart I heard an odd instantaneous buzz or popping sound and then silence. So, is it possible that a broken ignition switch could cause a dead short that would drain the battery leaving only a phantom surface charge of 12.8 volts? The old gray mare was running perfectly prior to turning that key so this sort of event certainly fits the facts. If this is what happened, can the battery be saved by recharging overnight?

Thanks all

That is quite unlikely. What is much more likely is that some of your connections are loose, broken, or corroded, so you get a very flaky contact.. When you try to draw much current, tiny heating at the conection opens it.

You can isolate which connection is the problem fairly easily. Turn on a few amp load (like parking lights) and go along with a 12V test light to see where the power stops. Begin with the negative battery cable, block & body grounds, then go to the positive battery clamp, starter relay, fusible link, bulkhead, ammeter post, and so forth.