The thread on the tires appears to have a different color than the sides. Not natural rubber color on the sides as discussed in this recent thread:, http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/405119.html?1385900492 but something that appears darker in the B/W photo than the presumably coal black thread.. Maybe instead the thread was dark red and the sides black? http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/235582.html