The first Rolls-Royce, introduced in 1906, was called the 40/50; the first 40/50 to bear the name Silver Ghost was actually the 12th chassis built. It featured an aluminum body by Barker with German silver-plated exterior fittings and a silver-plated brass badge bearing the name Silver Ghost. The name stuck. Rolls-Royce unabashedly claimed 'The Best Car in the World' as its mantra and 7,874 Silver Ghosts were built until production ceased in 1925.

This Silver Ghost 40/50 was the 28th chassis produced at the new Rolls-Royce Springfield, Massachusetts works between 1920 and 1921. The body, the car's original, is a sleek five-passenger Phaeton was fitted by Buffalo, New York coachbuilder Brunn and Company to the specifications of its first owner, J.C. McKinney also of Buffalo, New York. It was originally delivered as a right-hand drive car.

In 1926 chassis 39AG was returned to the factory for updating, including a switch of the driving position to left-hand drive, new bumpers, wheels, tires grille vanes and faired-in tool boxes among other improvements. The car retains its original engine with 12-volt electrics and four-speed transmission.

The car has since been completely restored (from 2013 to 2015) to its original condition. This took place in three phases over a ten year period. Since completion, it has garnered numerous national level awards.