Were these the first Grand Ams? I drove one and it was a boat.

Yeah the 73 WAS the first year that the Grand Am was made... and it was ,made up until 1980 I believe. Basically it was a Lemans just with a few changes. These were also the only years that they made a G/A with a V8. Unlike what some people believe that they have in there 2000+. They were nothing special since it didn't make it back then, as you prolly know they reintroduced the G/a in 85. now we are on the current generation. Heres a site that will give you all the info on the original G/A's.

http://www.grandamregistry.com/new/default.cfm

I had an 85 se 3.0v6 , it was all souped and geared up , i was not aware that was the year they reintroduced it , thanks for the info.