When I was 16 I first did the Smokey Mountains in a 1961 Pontiac pulling a tent trailer with my parents. I remember thinking someday I am going to do this drive on a motorcycle. About 15 years ago I did it on my Goldwing. Then I thought someday I am going to do this road in a sportscar. Well that time is approaching but I never dreamed the convertible would be a Jag. Don't let go of your dreams.

 

Tail of the Dragon - Yes we did! We also drove portions of Diamondback - 226A just south of Little Switzerland. More narrow and challenging than the Dragon.

 

I grew up in East Anglia, where every 'secondary' road looked like the tail!
I've owned a 98 Coupe since 04, and over 20,000 miles. Aside from addressing the known maintenance items, and replacing the headliner the car has been perfect. Never failed to start, no CEL, no transmission issues, nothing.
I've even converted several of my friends to Jaguar owners, all of whom have been, and still are delighted with their purchases.
Regards,

 

My planned drive through Smokey Mountain National Park did not go as planned, viscous thunderstorms where I thought a camera flash had gone off in the car at the same time as he crack of thunder left us just trying to make every turn and wishing other traffic would slow down. You bang up your Honda and you can get one at the next variety store, not my XK8. While I did not knock tail of the dragon top down off my bucket list, I did manage to knock off Skydiving. Once again the car behaved flawlessly, and gave great gas mileage, I am totally over my Jag Nervousness Syndrome. Not a drop of any single fluid was missing and I was almost sorry the trip was over after spending 2500 miles with her. While driving the Myrtle Beach strip, the Grand Strand Saturday night on our way home from dinner, a large black

gentleman with dreadlocks and tattoos, rather threatening looking to an old white guy from Canada approached our stopped car and after touching his middle finger to his lips gently touched the passengers fender, dragged his finger down it, approached my wife for a high five and said, "Smoooooooth Ride". So next year we will try for Tail of the Dragon again, and in six weeks the car will be in the garage for my big rear end refurbish project. Two big trips this summer, daily driving when the sun is out and not a glitch. Gotta love that British Engineering.

 

Perhaps our trip in 2 weeks to Townsend (Just over the Mtn.) will have better weather. Our British V8 & Conversions group have a annual gathering on 1st. week-end in Oct. Usually "The Dragon Tail" is included in our outing. This year the Ford Falcon Club will also be there, maybe we can convert some of them to Brit Cars.