Pretty much just like a standard flyback driver, except running at a very high duty ratio (95%) and only 400Hz. I didn't include potentiometers to adjust frequency or duty ratio since ignition coils are so alike, and the current values were found to work well. I made the circuit while using a "high power" coil, but any coil will work. My coil's primary has an inductance of 8.8mH, and about 3.5 ohms of DC resistance. Since the primary resistance is so high it will limit current and protect the mosfet. At 30V the max DC current will be 8.6A, and with 8.8mH of inductance the on-time will have to be t =  (I * L) / U in order to get the most current flowing through the primary. Since running high duty cycles had little impact on the heating of the mosfet, I chose to run it at 95% and 400Hz, which gives about the required on-time for max power. The funky gate waveform shaper is something I've seen on many flyback based drivers, including some ignition coil drivers. I'm not sure how it would improve anything in regards to power, but it greatly lowers the peak current the 555 has to source. All it does is ensure slow turn on and fast turn off, which are fine in this application. Slow turn-on because the current through the primary can only rise at a certain rate, and fast turn-off because the current must be stopped abruptly for the resulting flyback pulse to be a energetic as possible. Another reason for fast turn-off is the high duty cycle used.

At 35V input I could get 4 cm sparks, suggesting 30-40kV. During my first attempt I tried running it from 50V and using a different circuit, but it arced right through the top cone to the + connector immediately. To correct this I submerged the whole coil in hydraulic mineral oil which prevents arc-overs and arcing through insulation cone. I haven't tried it from 50V again since I have plans for this coil and don't want it ruined. The ignition coil is very loud and intense when sparking, so hearing protection is recommended.