Lycoming Manufacturing, makers of engines for many makes of automobiles and aircraft, was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Auburn Automobile Company. The Cord engine was the only V-8 Lycoming ever built.

 It was a very modern powerplant, with almost 'square' bore and stroke and nearly-horizontal valves operated by roller-equipped rocker arms. Even the earliest engines were designed to accomodate the centrifugal supercharger that was offered as an option on 1937 models.