In 1890, Lambert got involved in financing the development of a three-cylinder gasoline engine designed by John B. Hicks, an inventor from Cleveland. His initial investment was $200 (), and more was needed as time went on. Lambert supplied the increments needed, until he had given Hicks $3300 (). Lambert made a written agreement with Hicks on the engine, for a license to manufacture it with whatever modifications he felt necessary. He used Hicks' engineers to further modify the design of the engine. Machining was done by Lowell Machine Company. Lambert removed two cylinders, making it a one-cylinder engine. The engine was still not operating entirely correctly after these alterations; in January 1891, he had the unfinished engine and its components shipped to him from Cleveland. Once it arrived in Ohio City, he performed further modifications to make it operational, and designed a unique carburetor to work with the upgraded engine.