welcome to the bolt girldriver!
i approve of the color choice. when i first got my 53 the 3 on the tree trans would grind going into 1st from neutral, i quickly learned to drop the shifter into 2nd then straight up into 1st without a glitch as 1st gear has no syncromesh.
the stuck in first gear problem is simply the shifter linkage under the hood being mis aligned its not in the transmission itself. all you have to do when this happens is to gently tug on the shifter rod (still under the hood on the steering shaft) and pop into neutral. sounds like you need to adjust them as they're probably worn or bent.
enjoy your new ride!
cheers from the offical welcome "panel" wagon
