ALAS!

Took about three weeks of randomness trying to get the lock to budge. It was as if the wrong key was being used despite using the same key that locked it. Regardless I tried all three keys I had and it would not budge.

The culprit: "some stuff got into the lock". Seems to be remnants of small pieces of stuff that accumulated over the years....sand, etc.

Just enough grains got into the lock presumably when I inserted the key thus causing the key to not seat all the way.

I took a spare key, put it i the lock and gave it a generous whack with a rubber mallet and then it finally turned. I then used a magnifier glass with LED light and small nail (to open the lock safety latch thing) and saw all the crap that was inside. Some air removed the remainder of the accumulation and now lock works fine.

Just in time to drop it off to have some Nivomats dropped in :(
Some (previous owner or shop) installed FWD shocks on the rear and they are blown. Car bounces like a low rider. Got a good deal on some used ones from a car that was totalled.