Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 103,516	$ 63,578
Operating costs and expenses:
Costs of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)	84,663	51,105
Selling and administrative	15,298	13,508
Depreciation and amortization	5,922	3,925
Loss on disposal of assets	0	3
Total operating expenses	105,883	68,541
Loss from operations	(2,367)	(4,963)
Other income (expense):
Investment-related income	49	45
Interest expense	(1,177)	(242)
Other - net	(1,082)	1,164
Total other income (expense)	(2,210)	967
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings in Chinese joint venture	(4,577)	(3,996)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(135)	850
Equity earnings in Chinese joint venture	50	172
Net loss	(4,662)	(2,974)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	121	(84)
Net loss attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh shareholders	$ (4,783)	$ (2,890)
Net loss per common share attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh:
Basic	$ (0.39)	$ (0.26)
Diluted	(0.39)	(0.26)
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.09	$ 0.09
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	12,271	11,006
Diluted	12,271	11,006