Engine Misfire

[Wodza]

Just bought a 1973 spider on the 17th. Ive been driving it around quite a bit since getting it and it has been running really well. Yesterday on my drive to the cottage I started to notice an occasional misfire (short and temporary loss of power no loud bang or knock) while driving at a constant highway speed. I opened the hood to make sure the spark plug wires were firmly attached to the plugs and although one seemed loose there was no change after making sure it was tightly snapped on. I made the drive home and still had the occasional misfire but then found the car having a hard time at idle as well which it was not having before. Once I got home I parked it, slept and took my other car to work where I am now typing this so I haven't had a chance to look at it further. I thought i would write up on here to see where I should start. I don't have much experience working on cars so I am looking for advice on what I should check first and which order I should move on. From what I've been able to look up it seems like checking the spark plugs is numbers one. The lady I bought the car off of said she had just had them replaced so they are probably pretty new. If the plugs seem to be fine what is the next thing I should check?

Also, as this may be pertinent information, what I think is the ground coming of the ignition coil seems to be loose. Is this something that would cause an occasional misfire?

[seabeelt]

Plugs, wires, points, rotor, cap

[Wodza]

Thanks

[kilrwail]

Always start with the free repair. That loose wire on the negative post of the coil is NOT a ground. It is the place where the points in the distributor signal the coil that it is time for a high voltage spark to be sent to the spark plugs. Clean it and tighten it before spending a nickel!

[Wodza]

Will do! thanks