So it didn’t take long to figure out my hood latch problem. Someone installed grill inserts which blocked access to the latch, then bent the hook over so it wouldn’t latch. I straightened the hook back to where it is supposed to be and the inserts are coming out. For now my pocket knife works to slide the hook over. The crazy things people do in their effort to customize....
Glad you figured it out! And yes, you're right... I love (sarcasm) buying cars from people in which I end up finding all sorts of ways they rigged up different things.