ok, so ive owned a couple LT1 cars before, but this is my first auto.

so, why can i not put the car in 1st gear?
is there anything i can do to change this?

thanks in advance for any help!

 

Did you search on this subject? It has been covered many, many times in general tech and the transmission forums. Your car came with 2.73 rear gears. GM made 1st gear non-selectable on those models. You can take the shift plate off the console and locate the small piece that is blocking the lever from going into 1st and remove it.