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I'm in San Francisco and while the ignition switch works. ( there's power to the gauges) there is absolutely no sound when I press the starter button. I started the car several times today no problem. Is there a shop I. Sfo or some in the area to check it?
What do I do to diagnose?

Never mind. It just started.

Does your starter solenoid have a button on it? If it does, and this happens again, try starting using the button. Or, tap the solenoid with a screwdriver handle, may free things up that are sticking inside.

I know your car isn't exactly stock with the later engine and voltage supply part of the starter button circuit but how about the rest of the electrical. If it still has the 356 safety circuit where the start circuit for the Autolite solenoid gets its ground thru the regulator or generator, a problem in that part of the circuit will give you that exact symptom of nothing happens and then it might work OK and then maybe not work the next time.

If you do have the safety circuit it can be bypassed by removing the wire at the regulator which comes directly from one of the solenoid relay terminals and connecting it directly to ground. The stock wire will either be connected to a 4th terminal on the regulator probably marked as "T" if it has an original type regulator or the ARM or GEN terminal along with the wire to the generator if it has a more modern three terminal regulator. Removing the wire and connecting to ground will prevent problems in the regulator or generator from affecting the starter.

From the info given, sounds a simple as a loose wire or connector. Check and make sure everything is tight.

Battery connections?