A continuous molding machine comprises a rotatable wheel that carries a plurality of fixed dies, each of which is aligned with an axially movable die within a peripheral surface to form pairs of molding dies. A strip of uncured material is movable between each pair of molding dies at a molding station. As the wheel rotates each pair of molding dies through a molding station, the molding dies are closed upon the uncured material to form a molded article. A shoe is fixedly-mounted adjacent the molding station and is slidable with respect to the peripheral surface of the rotating wheel to communicate with passages which lead from the peripheral surface of the rotating wheel to the insides of the molding dies. During die closing, vacuum is applied to the shoe to remove air from the molding dies.