Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 331,866	$ 238,480	$ 272,858
Operating costs and expenses:
Costs of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)	276,496	196,091	218,597
Selling and administrative	58,175	39,510	37,380
Depreciation and amortization	20,463	11,787	11,818
Charge (credit) for asbestos litigation	4,565	(14,333)	4,487
Charges for impairment	26,676	0	0
Loss on disposition of assets	21	378	496
Total operating expenses	386,396	233,433	272,778
(Loss) income from operations	(54,530)	5,047	80
Other income (expense):
Investment-related income	481	174	171
Interest expense	(2,397)	(226)	(236)
Other - net	(1,074)	(475)	(907)
Total other income (expense)	(2,990)	(527)	(972)
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity gains (losses) in Chinese joint venture	(57,520)	4,520	(892)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(22,712)	(2,633)	766
Equity income (losses) in Chinese joint venture, including gain on sale (Note 3)	423	(514)	(1,061)
Net (loss) income	(79,809)	1,373	(1,187)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	11	0	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh	$ (79,820)	$ 1,373	$ (1,187)
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh:
Basic	$ (6.68)	$ 0.13	$ (0.11)
Diluted	$ (6.68)	$ 0.13	$ (0.11)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	11,951,000	10,435,000	10,405,000
Diluted	11,951,181	10,447,066	10,404,744