This article dives into the return of May Madness, the downtown San Rafael car show and parade now in its 36th year. At the center is a legendary 1932 Ford Roadster, owned by Greg Borrelli—the guy everyone called the “Mayor of Fourth Street.”
The Roadster’s journey back to Marin County has become the heartbeat of this year’s celebration. From those wild Fourth Street cruising nights that shaped Marin’s vibe to the Roadster’s epic trek from Pomona, it’s all woven into a community event that feels both retro and right-now.
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May Madness: A Marin County tradition in downtown San Rafael
May Madness started as a neighborhood get-together and somehow grew into a regional event. Now, San Rafael’s Fourth Street turns into a showcase every May 9.
Folks from all over Marin—San Anselmo, Larkspur, Mill Valley, you name it—wander the shops, catch some live music, and line the streets for the parade. There’s a lot of love for small businesses and classic cars, and Fourth Street just brings it all together.
The Roadster that sparked the tradition
Greg Borrelli bought the 1932 Ford Roadster in 1979. That car pretty much kicked off May Madness.
It had belonged to LeRoi “Tex” Smith, a hot-rodder, and got a new lease on life with a Brizio-frame chassis, Chevy 350 engine, custom interior, and a red lacquer finish that turned heads all over Marin. Borrelli, who ran a downtown shop and earned the “Mayor of Fourth Street” nickname, launched the first May Madness on June 29, 1986, using the Roadster as a centerpiece and hoping to revive that old cruising culture.
Fourth Street’s car scene even inspired George Lucas to film the opening of American Graffiti there. The Roadster made a splash at the Oakland Roadster Show, taking second in its class in 1987.
It showed up in a 1989 issue of Hot Rod Mechanix with its “TIN TOO” plates. Borrelli had to sell the car in 1992 during a tough patch, but the Roadster’s story kept rolling through Marin’s collective memory.
Decades later, Borrelli’s friend Rick Lewis went searching. In 2025, he tracked the car down at a hot rod shop near Pomona, thanks to a Facebook tip and some DMV sleuthing.
The Roadster had spent over 30 years away from Marin. Some say it even passed through the hands of former MLB outfielder Reggie Jackson at auction in 1992, drifting around Southern California before finally coming home.
What to expect this year in San Rafael
This year’s May Madness is all about the Roadster’s homecoming. That’s a big deal for Marin’s car fans and longtime Fourth Street regulars.
People can check out vintage cars, catch live bands, and browse vendor booths from noon to 5 p.m. The parade kicks off at 5 p.m. and keeps downtown San Rafael buzzing with nostalgia and hometown pride. For the full scoop, head to maymadnesssanrafael.com.
A touch of Marin’s cruising heritage
May Madness might center in San Rafael, but its energy really spills out into Marin County. In towns like Novato, Tiburon, and Sausalito, folks still talk about the days when Fourth Street and Larkspur’s old corridors pulled in car lovers from all over the region.
The Roadster’s return gives a nod to Marin County’s cruising roots. It’s the kind of story that keeps neighborhoods close and merchants busy, while young families find ways to fold car culture into everyday life.
- Vintage cars, live music, and vendor booths fill the downtown streets in San Rafael, thanks to hours donated by volunteers.
- Parade down Fourth Street and through central San Rafael—honestly, it’s become a classic weekend moment for people here.
- Roadster’s homecoming bridges Marin’s past and present, and you can bet plenty of locals will be out celebrating on a spring day in San Rafael.
- More info? Check out maymadnesssanrafael.com.
Here is the source article for this story: The car that inspired Marin’s May Madness to return to where it all began
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