The first line of the cowl tag reads:
05C 115172 178598

Do either of the five digit numbers mean anything?

Any assistance in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Not really.

All the are is processing numbers used in the assembly plants. Its how they organized the work etc. Call the Data Processing Sequence Number. Keep in mind all plants built more that one model and or car line, 100 cars per hour per line was not unusual