Well progress of sorts.
Have now got wheel off without damaging rim with hammer. v. frustrating, and some hours work.
Eventually used a piece of hardwood, about 2 x 3 x 10 inches. Put one end squarely against one ear of the spinner, braced the length of wood against the wheel rim, and used 7lb lump hammer to bash the free end of the wood. This advice came from fellow MK1V owner, Mr Howsley, in St Albans, worked well, so thx again sir.!
I tried the ignition on and tap pump step, but only result was an unpleasant hot electrics smell, so ignition and master switch v.smartly off.
Next step is to disconnect the fuel lines from the pump and extract pump ( Edelbrock) from the mounting. Have'nt quite figured out how to plug the open ends of the fuel lines, which have braided hose aircraft type fittings, so advice/experience would be great.
Also the electrics appear to be fixed at the pump, and connected into the car by a remote white plastic pug of some kind. No fuse either according to my handbook. Comments also welcome here.
Thx for listening,
Nick G