Polyester containers that are produced from polyester preforms, the preforms preferably having a thermoplastic over-mold layer on at least a part of the exterior surface of the preform. In one aspect the invention can be a perform that is made by over-molding the thermoplastic layer onto the preform surface in one or more over-molding operations. In a single over-molding embodiment the preform has a body layer of a first color and the over-molded layer of a second color. The over-mold layer can have a thickness gradient varying in thickness from one end of the preform to adjacent another end of the preform. This will give the blow molded container a unique appearance where there the container will be substantially transparent or of a first color and the over-mold layers of differing colors.