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Can someone give an easy explanation for the "Series" designation, and why did Packard not simply use Model years?

Thanks

I believe the simplest reason is particularly in the early years Packard sold essentially unchanged models over more than one calendar year and didn't really follow any set time frame in releasing new models. The cars and models were designated as a series until a significant enough change was made that warranted a new designation.

There were other interesting series number differences which adds to the confusion. Chassis series and body or model series were different for the same year. They finally started bringing things together postwar with the 21st series. 46 models had a 16xx designation on a 21st series chassis but for 47 the same body and model jumped to a 21xx on the 21st chassis. The series was identical for two years and postwar production is a good example of overall series designations and how production of the same cars over multiple calendar years let things get a little out of hand. The 21st series 46-47 models were the same, the redesigned 22nd series models were identical for a year and a half -- 48 thru mid 49 and facelifted 23rd series another hear and a half -- mid 49 thru 50. At least after 47 the body model and chassis model series designations were the same.

For the completely redesigned 51 cars they did start designating a new series for each year even though the cars might not have changed that much. The 51 and 52 models were essentially identical other than a bit of chrome and could easily have been called the same series again but Packard went with the flow and started a new series per calendar year, 24th for 51 and 25th for 52.

For 54 because of the many prior series spanning more than one calendar year, designations had gotten way behind so they made the sudden jump to have the series correlate with the calendar year hence the jump from 53's 26th series to 54's 54th series.

Because it started out that way. Evolution changes things over time. A common method of industrial manufacturing nomenclature, eg: Model "T", "A" Those #s tie to parts and engineering drawings. Packard was an early manufacturer so it's series system was patterned early. They didn't have uniform Federal title laws until '64.
Packard also contracted out bodies by quantities and that lead to dealing with "left overs" that didn't sell in the calendar period. (I think this is one of the things that tarnished the post war brand)
Automotive industry history, interesting reading, if you're up to it. Some early prewar inventory was resold under a completely different name after a company was sold. Same car, different name.)

OK, so its just a matter of model years not signifying real changes---the changes are in the "series" ?
Thanks---I think I understand---doesn't mean it is not confusing to a new-comer.