Tough call. It will not be based on magazine coverage, like in the past.

I have seen television play a major role in the hobby today. Trends come and go much faster, and personalities become nationally known.....such as Chip Foose, and Boyd Coddington. (Yes, I know they were established before, but nothing like it is now!)

There are many times more extremely talented people out there than you know of, but it takes being in the right place, at the right time to become known beyond a local region.

I do know that TV will be part of the outcome, and maybe the internet too, as it becomes common for more users to get their info here.

Twenty years is not a very long time either. Most of the current stars will still be involved then, but 40 years is a different matter.

My best guess would be to look for builders who build edgy stuff, and also lean toward the extreme. They will be noticed. The ones who do the same thing that most other builders are doing....and don't produce projects that are noticeable, will not achieve national noteriety. At least as long as it is based on "the finished product", and not a scripted TV drama character.