1982 280TE started, died, now won't start. Help!

[w123jab]

right then, first i have to admit to being a bit of a dick! i bought the above car unseen. i love these cars and i was hoping that it would be better than my current 200T.

the car has no history and has been standing for at least a year. i went to collect it, hoping that a reported idle problem was just condensation in the fuel tank etc.

amazingly the car started almost first turn, having not been started for a year! it idled nicely for about 15 minutes, when it was thoroughly warm i gave it a few heavy prods on the gas pedal. i also disconnected the temporary battery i had started it with. within about a minute the engine started dying, it gasped a few more turns then died slowly.

nothing i could do since then would start it. i checked the plugs and although the plugs were very black they were still sparking. i unscrewed all the injection nuts where they enter the block and petrol leaked out of all the threads.

the engine sounded like it was going to fire but just couldn't quite catch. it came closest when the gas pedal was pushed to the floor.

i have only two thoughts, one is that the plugs might need replacing, or that when i blipped the throttle i blew a gasket. i have no idea how to check for this latter scenario.

so any thoughts on how to get this baby running so i can rescue what is otherwise a sound car would be very much appreciated. the car is an auto so i can't tow it and give it a good bump.

thanking you in advance for your help. please be assured that it is always well recieved.

regards

justin