[mssl72]

Dan,
I contacted the current owner (who did the restoration) with your questions. Here's his reply:

"No need to strip the paint. The process does that for you. The body needs to have everything removed so that it's just the shell. I did remove the trim tag otherwise it would have been destroyed."

I don't know if that answers the first part of your questions completely, "Can you explain the chemical dipping/stripping process?". I know that the methods of stripping a car has been discussed on this board a few times and it seems there is a side that doesn't like chemical stripping. I've heard stories of the stripper leaching out years later. I haven't personally done chemical stripping, but I've heard if done properly (using a neutralizer) that aren't any issues.