OK....checked a spare set of wires and found that they varied from 2500 ohms to 4200 ohms depending on the length. Short ones were lower, longer ones higher in resistance, but nothing like "zero" ohms like you'd get with a piece of copper wire.

Then I took a look at the website for Bougicord (should have done this first) and found in their FAQ list the following:
"Since 1957, the law has required that all automobile ignition wire sets be fitted with interference suppressors. Standards place acceptable resistance at 5,600 ohms per metre of cable with a tolerance of ± 20% (the range is therefore between 4,480 and 6,720 ohm/m). At that time, interference suppression was made compulsory to avoid disturbing radios or televisions in areas where the vehicle was running. The phenomenon was troublesome but not dangerous. Today, interference may accidentally set off an airbag, or perturb an ABS braking system. Hence the need for using ignition wire sets that correspond to interference suppression standards perfectly."

Hmmmmm.....so at 5600 ohms per meter, the number one cylinder wire is almost exactly on spec coming in at 4200 ohms since it's about .75 meter in length and the number 5 cylinder wire at only about 8 inches length is also right on with 2400 ohms.

Next step--pull apart the set on my engine to check it.....