A pneumatic tire having an outer-facing sidewall area extending from opposing edges of a belt reinforcing structure to corresponding tire beads, the improvement comprising an outer layer of veneer covering said sidewall in whole or in part and said veneer comprising (a) from 85 to 92 parts by weight of polyisoprene; (b) from 15 to 8 parts by weight of a styrene-butadiene rubber; and (c) from 5 to 20 phr of a high styrene resin.