Neighbour bought his sons two fixer-upper '80 Firebirds when they were about that age.  16 came and went about 5 years ago and neither of them showed any inclination to fix 'em up.  The 'birds have now flown his yard.  The one you're thinking of getting looks like it'll still fly in 8 years though.  I wouldn't get my kids something 8 years in advance though.  Nice ride but too many things to go wrong sitting/storing for 8 years.  Buy it for yourself, baby it, have some quality dad/son time maintaining and driving it, and THEN give it to him when he's 16.  It'll mean more to him that Dad gave him HIS car than knowing for 8 years that it's coming.