Assuming you are still on the original points from 1961, then yes you would be spoiling the originality of the car. Some will tell you that it could be reversed, but then they wouldn't be factory installed anymore, would they? I do hope you haven't already spoiled the originality by putting high-carbon-content modern air in your tires.
Always remember that the definition of a pedant is someone whose standards of originality are higher than your own.
