Alfa Romeo started experimenting with front-wheel drive in 1952. Had it entered series production in a timely fashion, Project 13-61 would have preceded the Mini. The Italian marque developed yet another front-wheel-drive automobile in the guise of the Tipo 103, but once again, the bean counters couldn’t make a case for it due to financial difficulties.

Source: A Brief History of the Alfasud, Alfa Romeo’s First Series-Production FWD Car