Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 63,578	$ 65,087
Operating costs and expenses:
Costs of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)	51,105	52,044
Selling and administrative	13,508	9,396
Depreciation and amortization	3,925	3,142
Loss on disposal of assets	3	3
Total operating expenses	68,541	64,585
(Loss) income from operations	(4,963)	502
Other income (expense):
Investment-related income	45	45
Interest expense	(242)	(59)
Other - net	1,164	(366)
Total other income (expense)	967	(380)
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity losses in Chinese joint venture	(3,996)	122
Income tax benefit (provision)	850	(40)
Equity gains (losses) in Chinese joint venture	172	(10)
Net (loss) income	(2,974)	72
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(84)	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh shareholders	$ (2,890)	$ 72
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh:
Basic	$ (0.26)	$ 0.01
Diluted	(0.26)	0.01
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.09	$ 0.18
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	11,006	10,426
Diluted	11,006	10,464