Great car, carried a lot of musical gear and guitars for me. I went to college in the snow belt (by Erie PA) and had 4 studded snow tires. It was front wheel drive 5 on the floor. It would go anywhere.
I think you might be mixing up your memories of your Pinto and another car.
The '78 Pinto, like it's Chevrolet Vega and Chevette counterparts, was rear wheel drive only.
Ford didn't offer front wheel drive in the U.S. until the 1981 Ford Escort.
Once again, Pinto WAGON. Different than the Pinto.