Let's see, first of all Congrats on getting the Pinto ready for the road
1 Cruisin Wagons DO have a rear seat
2 ask around, Pintos are VERY reliable in thier stock, or lightly modded form.
3 My stock 74 runabout gets approx 30MPG sounds good to me
4 My 74 w/auto trans will spin it's tires
5 I'd put ride/handling up against anything in the car's class today. (I can out corner most civics)
6 Granted i live in Tennessee where we don't get much snow, but we're not prepared for what we do get either. my 74 goes great in the white stuff.
the drive train is really up to you. If you intend to drive in the winter, you should stay away from super high HP. (unless you know how to install traction control LOL) the 2.3L 4cyl with an auto would be the best for winter (the wife may like it too) the Cruisin Wagons were available with a 2.8L V6 which would DEFINATELY spin the tires.