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If I were to go into the local auto parts store and ask for a coil for my 56 Clipper what would I ask for? Is there a modern day match of some sort?

What ever you buy check the small wire posts for size so that u won' t have to change wire terminals on the car.
Check the x-ref in this website. Most likely ask for a coil for something like a 56 thru 72 ford id autolite or 55 thru 73 chevy if Delco. It all depends how far back the stores book go.
Make sure it is a NONresistor coil.

Other than small terminal configuration which is conspicuous upon visual inspection and resistor v non resistor coil then a 12v coil is a 12v coil for the 1955 thru 1972'ish US car market.
Of course someone will try argue with that. Ok. Bring it on.

Be sure to take the old coil along to match up for size and similarity. We are now dealing with AFTERMARKET parts that may have either significant or insignificant variations from OEM or even aftermatket of 50 years ago or even just 5 years ago.

Let me put it this way:
I would ask for chev 55 thru 65 or may be 73 depending on how far back their book goes. Why??? Because EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THAT IS AND EBERYONE HAS ONE RIGHT THER ON THE SHELF RIGHT NOW!!!!!
Ask for ford or mopar and most likely you WILL WAIT FOR IT TO BE ORDERED from a warehouse and probably pay at least 50 % more for it.
Now that i drawn everyone a picture i hope i don't have to paint a Rembrandt.

NAPA/Echlin replacement coils:

IC-12 for Delco systems
IC-15 for Autolite systems

Standard Ignition replacement coil:

UC-12X

NAPA appears to recognize a difference between the two systems but Standard's UC-12X for Delco & Autolite is a "universal" 12-volt coil for external ballast resistor applications.