Hi mate as a start did you check the plugs, leads etc this is useally the first port of call mate

Failing that it can be down to a number of things.

1) Dizzy cap and or rotor arm
2) Distributer
3) injectors could do with a clean
4) Fuel filter could be blocked

There is loads more mate but thats the basics really.

But hopefully someone else will add to the list fella.

What do intend to do? make it start and use it or break it for spares?

P.s read right to the bottom of your post if it went out with a bang and did not start after that it could well be the distributer.

As when mine went it was popping and backfiring for days before it died and refused to start after, till i changed the distributer and all was well after.