I got it undone - tugged on the wire, cover and all, from under the dash. Then went and banged on the hood just above the lights. First one let go, then teh other.

As it turns out, problem was that the lever that the safety tab attaches to had bent through 90 degrees - It is about 1/4" thick and at first glance looks like steel. But it is some type of flexible plastic! Maybe plastic with a thin metal core.

It's working now, but I think I will buy a new hook assembly.

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5