Shift knob removed!
Thanks again FX GS. Your information was the key to success.
I could not get vicegrips to do the job, and they were marking up the wedge each time they slipped off. So, I made a simple pull hammer from 3/8 threaded rod , a piece of 1/2 inch pipe and an adaptor made to get under the cap of the wedge. Three taps and out it came.
This forum is a great resource. It seems everything I attempt on the Vette requires special knowledge and/or tools.