HCC metal is not "weird" metal, it is a standard metal used in a number of modern applications. It can be welded, but the heat from standard welding procedures will cause the molecular structure to become drastically weakened. The situations HCC is used in can't have that kind of weakening. That said, as I mentioned, I do not know if HCC is used in that piece or not. But it would be smart to find out due to its structural and safety importance before deciding to start working on it and worse, driving it afterwards.
Ryan