Autobianchi Primula (Progetto 109) 1964-1970

Introduced in 1964 it is one of the most signficant cars ever produced. It was a small family saloon with a tranverse front engined, front wheel drive mechanical layout. But unlike the Mini, which had the gearbox in the sump, the Primula had the gearbox next to the engine. Deemed to radical for the Fiat brands it was instead released under the Autobianchi branch, which at the time acted as a sort of experimental department for the Fiat Group.

It was produced until 1970, during which 74.858 Primulas exited the gates of the Desio factory. Acknowledged for excellent roadholding thanks to front wheel drive and the McPherson front suspension (another first for Fiat) it precedeed the propular 128 and pioneered the mechanical layout that has become commonplace for modern front wheel drive cars.

Autobianchi Primula #2

Autobianchi Primula #3

So if my understanding is correct, due to the unequal length axles this car is basically the distant great grandfather of torque steer..

Indeed. Also back in the 1930's, Gianni Agnelli (the grandfather of l'Avvocato) liked to test drive Fiat prototypes and while he was testing a front wheel drive car he ran out of the road and the car caught fire. This meant that for many decades front wheel drive was fobidden for Fiat.

Autobianchi Primula #4