There's no disputing that the golden age of muscle cars spanned from the mid '60s through the '70s. Unfortunately the 1980s' plastic revolution ruined everything after that, leaving some models to die in peace and others to continue limping on, dishonored and disfigured.Here are 20 late-model muscle cars that went out on top, either for good or for the good of their name.1974 Plymouth 'CudaDiscontinued in 1974.1970 Plymouth GTXDiscontinued in 1971.1970 Ford Torino Cobra SportsroofDiscontinued in 1976.1970 Buick GSX 455Buick only made the GSX in 1970 and 1971.1980 Plymouth Road Runner VolarePlymouth’s last Road Runner in 1980.1972 Chrysler Valiant ChargerThe Valiant Charger lasted until 1978.1970 Mercury Cougar EliminatorFord bastardised the Cougar in the ‘80s, but the classic 1969 and 1970 Eliminator only lasted two years.1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SSDiscontinued in 1977.1970 Plymouth SuperbirdMade in 1970, and 1970s only.1970 Dodge Charger DaytonaThe 1969–1970 is what everyone means when they say Dodge Charger Daytona.1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans AmThe last year before everything went wrong in 1982.1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28The last year before the Camaro’s 1982 redesign.2005 Pontiac GTOOf course everyone loves the ‘70s GTOs the most, but the 2003-2006 is technically the late model and wasn't too shabby, letting the GTO go out with more dignity than most remodels.1978 Ford ThunderbirdThe Thunderbird stopped being the Thunderbird in the 1980s, making this model year close to the end.1976 Chevrolet NovaThe first generation Nova finished in 1979, with everything downhill after that.1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442Starting in the 1980s the 442 changed its classic look, making this late ‘70s model close to the end.1971 AMC JavelinDiscontinued in 1974.1970 Boss 302 Mustang The Boss 302 died in 1970 and didn’t come back until the 2000s.Fortunately that one was decent too.