No that's not a joke. When I bought my system in 1975, I quit studying every new thing that came out. By then I was chasing the oil boom all around Wyoming. Didn't have time for anything else, I have a very large knowledge hole from 1975- 2005.
I see. Thought you were messing with me.
As you have likely already gathered, it's an Empire 598 III. Produced in the early 70's in Jersey.
It's a beast. Looks like a frickin washing machine underneath.
There's a huge thread of "Empire turntable history" over at AK.
It's a neat design mechanically.
I just looked, and I don't have any good pics of the underside, but they're out there.
I have considered converting it to a microprocessor controlled motor if I can't figure out what's up with it. I'm a bit pig headed though, so probably not. Fix it right, or don't fix it!