[Dreamweaver]

Hey gentlemen,

SUCCESS!

Finally had to take the 40 to a guy with a lift as I couldnt get my car high enough to get under it properly.

He used a longgggg screwdriver to apply pressure to the nose of the hook while a mate pulled up on the outside release handle, it finally popped open!

2 of the main actuating rods were badly bent, the rubber bumper that the "secondary" safety arm presses against was gone.

I included a pic of one of the hood hinges, this may have been the root cause, drastically bent.

Got everything straightened and tightened up, smooth as butter now.

Thanks for all of your assistance.