factory mufflers are welded?????

[82 GT]

I crawled under my car to measure the one muffler I need to replace just to make sure the parts store sell me the correct one and unless I am wrong, it looks like the mufflers are welded from the factory. Is that what I am seeing!!
Does that mean I won't be able to replace the mufflers without going to a shop and have them cut off?
It was getting dark outside and I didn't have a flashlight handy so I am hoping that it only "looks" that way.
Please don't tell me that Ford welded the exhaust together....say it ain't so!!

I notice you can buy "exhaust repair kits". Is that acceptable by inspection mechanics?
You see, I don't want to spend major dollars on my exhaust unless I am going to install a complete Flowmaster system which I am not prepared to do yet.