Abstract: A casting apparatus for vehicle wheels includes a bottom core or face core mold segment affixed to a stationary bed and a top core mold segment affixed to a vertically movable head; a pivotally mounted side mold positioning arrangement of minimal bulk and mass is provided for each of the four, or greater number of side molds. Side mold segments are each connected by a linkage to the movable head to move vertically upwardly and downwardly while permitting independent lateral, typically arcuate, movement. Actuators in the form of hydraulic, pneumatic, or other linear actuators for each of the side mold segments are controlled to move each segment inwardly or outwardly; electro-mechanical or pneumatic actuators could alternatively be employed. A locator ring latching mechanism is provided for retaining the side cores in closed position which engages tabs on the bottom of the side cores to seat on and seal with the bottom core.