I don't think they're all that ugly to tell you the truth.
Yeah , like the 12BVSS pictured above - have one myself and I don't find it to be ugly in the least bit. It is a much nicer looking rifle than my HS Precision stocked 700s.
If it has a Shilen barrel, then it really isn't a Savage. It becomes a customized Savage.
That is probably the best feature of the Savage design is the fact that you can customize without great expense , at least compared to most rifle designs. I am seriously considering a match barrel install for my 12BVSS.