AMPCO PITTSBURGH CORP
DEF 14A, 1998-03-18
PUMPS & PUMPING EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>
                           SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                    Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.  )
        
Filed by the Registrant [X]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_] 

Check the appropriate box:

[_]  Preliminary Proxy Statement         [_]  CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
                                              COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
                                              RULE 14A-6(E)(2))

[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement 

[_]  Definitive Additional Materials 

[_]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12

                         AMPCO Pittsburgh Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

   
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
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[_]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
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     was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
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Notes:


<PAGE>
 
                          [Logo of Ampco Pittsburgh]
 
 
                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                      TO BE HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1998
 
To the Shareholders of
 Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation
 
  Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Ampco-
Pittsburgh Corporation will be held in The Conference Room, 33rd Floor, USX
Tower, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, April 28, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., for
the following purposes:
 
  1. To elect a class of two Directors for a term that expires in 2001.
 
  2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
and any adjournment thereof.
 
  Shareholders of record on March 10, 1998 are entitled to notice of and to
vote at the meeting.
 
                                             BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
                                                      Rose Hoover, Secretary
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 18, 1998
 
  ALL SHAREHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT AND, WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND IN PERSON, IT IS
REQUESTED THAT YOU PROMPTLY FILL IN, SIGN, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.
<PAGE>
 
                          [Logo of Ampco Pittsburgh]
 
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
                                MARCH 18, 1998
                 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS APRIL 28, 1998
 
                            SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
  This Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AMPCO-PITTSBURGH
CORPORATION (the "Corporation") to be held on April 28, 1998. The first
mailing of the proxy material to the shareholders is expected to be made on
March 18, 1998.
 
  The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
the Corporation. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the
mails, proxies may be solicited by Directors and employees, in person or by
telephone, and brokers and nominees may be requested to send proxy material to
and obtain proxies from their principals. The Corporation will pay the costs
incurred for those solicitations of proxies and will pay Kissel-Blake Inc.,
110 Wall Street, New York, New York, a fee of $6,000, plus reimbursement of
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, for aid in the solicitation of proxies.
 
  Any shareholder has the power to revoke the proxy at any time prior to the
voting thereof. Revocation of the proxy will not be effective until notice
thereof has been given to the Secretary of the Corporation or until a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date is presented.
 
                       VOTING SECURITIES AND RECORD DATE
 
  Only holders of record of Common Stock of the Corporation at the close of
business on March 10, 1998, will be entitled to vote at the meeting. On that
date, there were 9,577,621 shares of Common Stock outstanding. The holders of
those shares are entitled to one vote per share. In the election of Directors,
the shares may be voted cumulatively. Cumulative voting means that the number
of shares owned by each shareholder may be multiplied by the number of
Directors to be elected and that total voted for the nominees in any
proportion. Shares that are not voted cumulatively are voted on a one vote per
share basis for each nominee, except for those nominees, if any, for whom the
shareholder is withholding authority to vote.
 
                                 REQUIRED VOTE
 
  Under Pennsylvania law and the Corporation's by-laws, the presence of a
quorum is required to transact business at the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. A quorum is defined as the presence, either in person or by
proxy, of a majority of the votes that all shareholders are entitled to cast
at the meeting. Abstentions, votes withheld from director nominees, and
broker-dealer non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum.
Assuming the presence of a quorum, the two nominees for director receiving the
highest number of votes will be elected directors.
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
  A class of two Directors will be elected for a term of three years to fill
the class of Directors whose term expires in 1998. Both nominees for election
to the Board of Directors are currently Directors and Mr. Siddons was
originally elected by the shareholders. Mr. Carroll was elected by the
directors in 1996 to the class whose term expires in 1999. However, in order
to make the number of directors in each class equal following the resignation
of Mr. Keller, Mr. Carroll has been elected by the directors to the class
whose term expires in 1998. Both of the nominees were nominated by the Board
of Directors at its February 27, 1998 meeting and are willing to serve as
Directors if elected. If at the time of the Annual Meeting either nominee
should be unable or unwilling to stand for election, the proxies will be voted
for the election of such person, if any, as may be selected by the Board of
Directors to replace him.
 
  The Board of Directors has no nominating committee. Under the Corporation's
By-laws, a shareholder may make nominations for Directors, but only in the
period that is not less than sixty (60) or more than ninety (90) days in
advance of the anniversary date of the previous year's annual meeting.
 
  Proxies in the enclosed form will be voted, unless otherwise directed, for
the following nominees:
 
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS FOR A TERM OF OFFICE EXPIRING IN 2001:
 
Ernest G. Siddons (age 64, Director since 1981). He has been Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation since September 20,
1994. For more than five years before 1994, he was Senior Vice President
Finance and Treasurer of the Corporation. From September, 1996 to December
1997, he was President of Union Electric Steel Corporation, a subsidiary of
the Corporation.
 
Leonard M. Carroll (age 55, Director since 1996). He has been Managing
Director of Seneca Capital Management, Inc. (a private investment company)
since June, 1996. For more than five years before 1996, he was President and
Chief Operating Officer and a director of Integra Financial Corporation (a
bank holding company). He is also a director of Quaker State Corporation.
 
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERM OF OFFICE EXPIRES IN 1999:
 
Louis Berkman (age 89, Director since 1960). He has been Chairman of the Board
of the Corporation since September 20, 1994. He is also Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the Corporation and has been for more than five years.
He is also President and a director of The Louis Berkman Company (steel
products, fabricated metal products, building and industrial supplies).
 
Carl H. Pforzheimer, III (age 61, Director since 1982). For more than five
years he has been Managing Partner of Carl H. Pforzheimer & Co. (member of the
New York and American Stock Exchanges).
 
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERM OF OFFICE EXPIRES IN 2000:
 
William D. Eberle (age 74, Director since 1982). He is a private investor and
consultant and is Chairman of Manchester Associates, Ltd. He is also a
director of Mitchell Energy & Development Co., America Service Group, Barry's
Jewelers, Inc., Showscan Entertainment, Inc., Sirrom Capital Corporation and
FAC Realty Trust.
 
Robert A. Paul (age 60, Director since 1970). He has been President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation since September 20, 1994. For more than
five years before 1994, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Corporation. He is also an officer and director of The Louis Berkman Company
and a director of National City Corporation.
 
  The Board of Directors held six meetings in 1997. The Executive Committee of
the Board of Directors held four meetings in 1997 and took action twice by
written consent. The Executive Committee is comprised of four Directors: Louis
Berkman, Robert A. Paul, Ernest G. Siddons and Alvin G. Keller. The Salary
Committee is comprised of William D. Eberle, Chairman, Louis Berkman and Alvin
G. Keller. Effective April 28, 1998, Mr. Carroll will replace Mr. Keller on
both the Executive and Salary Committees because Mr. Keller will not stand for
re-election at the Annual Meeting. The Salary Committee met twice in 1997. In
1997 all of the
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Directors attended more than 75% of the applicable meetings. For the first
four months of 1997, each Director who was not employed by the Corporation
received $2,000 for each Board meeting attended and $500 for each Committee
meeting attended. Directors received one-half of those amounts if not in
attendance or if participation was by telephonic connection. Effective April
1, 1997, each Director who is not employed by the Corporation receives an
annual retainer of $6,000 (payable quarterly), $1,000 for each Board meeting
attended and $500 for each committee meeting attended. Attendance can be
either in person or by telephonic connection. Directors do not receive a fee
for either Board or Committee meetings if they do not attend.
 
  Louis Berkman is the father-in-law of Robert A. Paul. There are no other
family relationships among the Directors and Officers.
 
   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT INCLUDING
                                   NOMINEES
 
  As of March 10, 1998, Louis Berkman owned directly 213,888 shares (2.23%) of
the Common Stock of the Corporation. As of the same date, The Louis Berkman
Company, P.O. Box 576, Steubenville, Ohio, 43952, owned beneficially and of
record 2,126,089 shares (22.2%) of the Common Stock of the Corporation. Louis
Berkman, an officer and director of The Louis Berkman Company, owns directly
62.90% of its common stock. Robert A. Paul, an officer and director of The
Louis Berkman Company, disclaims beneficial ownership of the 18.93% of its
common stock owned by his wife. Louis Berkman and Robert A. Paul are trustees
of The Louis and Sandra Berkman Foundation and disclaim beneficial ownership
of the 1,266 shares of the Corporation's Common Stock held by such Foundation.
 
  The Corporation has received Schedules 13G filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission disclosing that as of December 31, 1997 Dimensional Fund
Advisors Inc., 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401 owned
634,800 shares or 6.63% (all of which shares are held in portfolios of various
investment vehicles for qualified employee benefit plans of which Dimensional
Fund Advisors serves as investment manager); and that Norwest Corporation,
Sixth & Marquette, Minneapolis, MN 55479, owned 945,649 shares or 9.9% in
various fiduciary and agency capacities and including 664,200 shares or 6.93%
held for ATTIMO Long Term Investment Trust. On February 3, 1998, Gabelli
Funds, Inc. and affiliates, Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580, filed an
amendment to its Schedule 13D showing they owned 1,796,200 shares or 18.75%.
 
  The following table sets forth as of March 10, 1998 information concerning
the beneficial ownership of the Corporation's Common Stock by the Directors
and Named Executive Officers and all Directors and Executive Officers of the
Corporation as a group:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       NAME OF                           AMOUNT AND NATURE OF                PERCENT
   BENEFICIAL OWNER                      BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP                OF CLASS
   ----------------                      --------------------                --------
<S>                                      <C>                                 <C>
Louis Berkman                                 2,341,243(1)(2)                  24.4
Robert A. Paul                                   57,922(2)(3)                    .6
Alvin G. Keller**                                 9,753(4)                       .1
Carl H. Pforzheimer, III                          2,733(5)                        *
Ernest G. Siddons (N)                             1,833(6)                        *
Leonard M. Carroll (N)                            1,000                           *
William D. Eberle                                   200                           *
Robert F. Schultz                                   200(6)                        *
Directors and Executive Officers
 as a group (10 persons)                      2,413,618(7)                     25.2
</TABLE>
- --------
(N) Nominee for Director
 
*less than .1%
 
**Mr. Keller will not seek re-election as a Director at the upcoming Annual
Meeting.
 
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
(1) Includes 213,888 shares owned directly, 2,126,089 shares owned by The
    Louis Berkman Company and 1,266 shares held by The Louis and Sandra
    Berkman Foundation, of which Louis Berkman and Robert A. Paul are
    Trustees, in which shares Mr. Berkman disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
(2) The Louis Berkman Company owns beneficially and of record 2,126,089 shares
    of the Corporation's Common Stock (22.2%). Louis Berkman is an officer and
    director of The Louis Berkman Company and owns directly 62.90% of its
    common shares. Robert A. Paul, an officer and director of The Louis
    Berkman Company, disclaims beneficial ownership of the 18.93% of its
    common stock owned by his wife. The number of shares shown in the table
    for Robert A. Paul does not include any shares held by The Louis Berkman
    Company.
 
(3) Includes 42,889 shares owned directly and the following shares in which he
    disclaims beneficial ownership: 13,767 shares owned by his wife and 1,266
    shares held by The Louis and Sandra Berkman Foundation, of which Robert A.
    Paul and Louis Berkman are Trustees.
 
(4) Includes 5,333 shares owned directly, 3,000 shares owned jointly with his
    wife, and 1,420 shares owned by his wife, in which shares he disclaims
    beneficial ownership.
 
(5) Includes 1,000 shares owned directly, 1,600 shares held by a trust of
    which he is a trustee and principal beneficiary, and 133 shares held by
    his daughter, in which shares he disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
(6) The shares are owned jointly with his wife.
 
(7) Excludes double counting of shares deemed to be beneficially owned by more
    than one Director.
 
Unless otherwise indicated the individuals named have sole investment and
voting power.
 
                            EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The following table sets forth certain information as to the total
remuneration received for the past three years by the four most highly
compensated executive officers of the Corporation, including the Chief
Executive Officer (the "Named Executive Officers"):
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           ANNUAL COMPENSATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (A)                 (B)       (C)          (D)            (I)
                                                                   ALL OTHER
                                YEAR   SALARY ($)   BONUS ($)   COMPENSATION ($)
  NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION   ----   ----------   ---------   ----------------
<S>                             <C>    <C>          <C>         <C>
Louis Berkman                   1997    308,750      94,500
 Chairman of the Board and      1996    290,000      67,000
 Executive Committee            1995    250,000      42,500
Robert A. Paul                  1997    308,750      94,500
 President and Chief            1996    290,000      67,000
 Executive Officer              1995    250,000      42,500
Ernest G. Siddons               1997    276,875      84,750          7,172(1)
 Executive Vice President       1996    260,000      60,000          5,520(1)
 and Chief Operating
 Officer                        1995    225,000      38,250          5,064(1)
Robert F. Schultz               1997    134,500      18,500
 Vice President                 1996    130,875      16,500
 Industrial Relations           1995    127,500      12,500
 and Senior Counsel
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Value of the term portion of a split dollar life insurance policy. The
    Corporation remains entitled to the cash surrender value of such policy.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
  The Corporation has a tax qualified retirement plan (the "Plan") applicable
to the Executive Officers, to which the Corporation makes annual
contributions, as required, in amounts determined by the Plan's actuaries. The
Plan does not have an offset for Social Security and is fully paid for by the
Corporation. Under the Plan, employees become fully vested after five years of
participation and normal retirement age under the Plan is age 65 but
actuarially reduced benefits may be available as early as age 55. The benefit
formula is 1.1% of the highest consecutive five year average earnings in the
final ten years, times years of service. Federal law requires that 5% owners
start receiving a pension no later than April 1 following the calendar year in
which the age 70 1/2 is reached. Louis Berkman is currently receiving $4,435 a
month pursuant to the Plan. As an active employee, Mr. Berkman continues to
receive credit for additional service rendered after age 70 1/2.
 
  The Corporation adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) in
1988, amended and restated in 1996, for all officers listed in the
compensation table, except Louis Berkman, and certain key employees, covering
retirement after completion of ten years of service and attainment of age 55.
The combined retirement benefit at age 65 provided by the Plan and the SERP is
50% of the highest consecutive five year average earnings in the final ten
years of service. The participants are eligible for reduced benefits for early
retirement at age 55. A benefit equal to 50% of the benefit otherwise payable
at age 65 is paid to the surviving spouse of any participant, who has had at
least five years of service, commencing on the later of the month following
the participant's death or the month the participant would have reached age
55. In addition, there is an offset for pensions from other companies. Certain
provisions, applicable if there is a change of control, are discussed below
under Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangement.
 
  The following shows the estimated annual pension under the Plan and SERP
that would be payable, without offset, to the individuals named in the
compensation table assuming continued employment to retirement at age 65, but
no change in the level of compensation shown in such table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Louis Berkman                                                     (1)
       <S>                                                            <C>
       Robert A. Paul                                                 $201,625
       Ernest G. Siddons                                              $163,500
       Robert F. Schultz                                               $76,500
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Mr. Berkman is currently receiving a pension pursuant to the Plan as
    described above.
 
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
  The Chairman, President, and Executive Vice President have two year
contracts (which automatically renew for one year periods unless the
Corporation chooses not to extend) providing for compensation equal to five
times their annual compensation (with a provision to gross up to cover the
cost of any federal excise tax on the benefits) in the event their employment
is terminated (including a voluntary departure for good cause) and the right
to equivalent office space and secretarial help for a period of one year after
a change in control. The remaining officer named in the compensation table and
a certain key employee have two year contracts providing for three times their
annual compensation in the event their employment is terminated after a change
in control (including a voluntary departure for good cause). In addition, each
of the Vice President Finance and Corporate Secretary have two year contracts
providing for two times their annual compensation in the event their
employment is terminated after a change in control (including a voluntary
departure for good cause). All of the contracts provide for the continuation
of employee benefits, for three years for the three senior executives and two
years for the others, and the right to purchase the leased car used by the
covered individual at the Corporation's then book value. The same provisions
concerning change in control that apply to the contracts apply to the SERP and
vest the right to that pension arrangement. A change of control triggers the
right to a lump sum payment equal to the present value of the vested benefit
under the SERP if applicable.
 
SALARY COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION IN COMPENSATION
DECISIONS
 
  A Salary Committee is appointed each year by the Board of Directors.
Committee members abstain from voting on matters which involve their own
compensation arrangements. The Salary Committee for the year 1997 was
comprised of three Directors: William D. Eberle, Chairman, Louis Berkman and
Alvin G. Keller.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
  Louis Berkman is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the
Executive Committee. He is also the President and a director of The Louis
Berkman Company. The Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer,
Robert A. Paul, is also an officer and director of The Louis Berkman Company.
 
  The Louis Berkman Company and William D. Eberle had certain transactions
with the Corporation, which are more fully described under "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions."
 
SALARY COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The Salary Committee approves salaries for executive officers within a range
from $150,000 up to $200,000 and increases in the salary of any executive
officers which would result in such officer earning a salary within such
range. Salaries of $200,000 per year and above must be approved by the Board
of Directors after a recommendation by the Salary Committee. Salaries for
executive officers below the level of $150,000 are set by the Chairman,
President and Executive Vice President of the Corporation.
 
  The compensation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, as well
as the other applicable executive officers, is based on an analysis conducted
by the Salary Committee. The Committee does not specifically link remuneration
solely to quantitative measures of performance because of the cyclical nature
of the industries and markets served by the Corporation. In setting
compensation, the Committee also considers various qualitative factors,
including competitive compensation arrangements of other companies within
relevant industries, individual contributions, leadership ability and an
executive officer's overall performance. In this way, it is believed that the
Corporation will attract and retain quality management, thereby benefiting the
long-term interest of shareholders.
 
  In early 1997, the Salary Committee reviewed and approved salary increases
and an incentive program for 1997 covering Louis Berkman, Robert A. Paul and
Ernest G. Siddons ("participants"). Incentive payments were to be determined
by formula, based exclusively on the Corporation's 1997 income from operations
performance as compared to the Corporation's business plan. These payments
were to be limited to 30% of base salary of participants. In 1997 the
Corporation exceeded the business plan and as a result the participants earned
incentives of $94,500, $94,500 and $84,750, respectively.
 
  This report of the Salary Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by
reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy
statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Corporation
specifically incorporates this report and the information contained herein by
reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
 
                         Louis Berkman
                         William D. Eberle
                         Alvin G. Keller
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                      Comparative Five-Year Total Returns*
    Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation, Standard & Poors 500 and Value Line Steel
                               (Integrated) Index
                     (Performance results through 12/31/97)
 
 
<TABLE>
 
                             [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
                  COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE RETURN
   AMONG AMPCO PITTSBURGH CORP., S&P 500 INDEX AND STEEL (INTEGRATED) INDEX
 
<CAPTION>
                             AMPCO                                  STEEL
Measurement period           PITTSBURGH          S&P 500            (INTEGRATED)
(Fiscal year Covered)        CORP.               INDEX              INDEX
- ---------------------        ----------          -------            ------------
<S>                          <C>                 <C>                <C> 
Measurement PT -
12/31/92                     $100                $100               $100
FYE 12/31/93                 $80.99              $110.09            $158.51
FYE 12/31/94                 $113.68             $111.85            $166.03
FYE 12/31/95                 $125.09             $153.80            $158.55
FYE 12/31/96                 $141.50             $189.56            $164.79
FYE 12/31/97                 $236.59             $252.82            $174.55

</TABLE>
 
Assumes $100 invested at the close of trading on the last trading day preceding
January 1, 1993 in Ampco-Pittsburgh common stock, S&P 500, and Peer Group.
*Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
 
  In the above graph, the Corporation has used Value Line's Metals: Steel,
Integrated Industry for its peer comparison. The diversity of products produced
by subsidiaries of the Corporation made it difficult to match to any one
product-based peer group. The Steel Industry was chosen because it is impacted
by some of the same end markets that the Corporation ultimately serves, such as
the automotive, appliance and construction industries.
 
  Historical stock price performance shown on the above graph is not
necessarily indicative of future price performance.
 
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
  In 1997 the Corporation bought industrial supplies from The Louis Berkman
Company in transactions in the ordinary course of business amounting to
approximately $1,440,000. Additionally, The Louis Berkman Company paid the
Corporation $160,000 for certain administrative services. Louis Berkman and
Robert A. Paul are officers and directors, and Louis Berkman is a shareholder,
in that company. These transactions and services were at prices generally
available from outside sources. Transactions between the parties will take
place in 1998.
 
  In 1989, certain subsidiaries of the Corporation and Tertiary, Inc., a
corporation owned by the children of William Eberle, formed three 50/50
partnerships, to manage, develop and operate hotel properties and a subsidiary
of the Corporation also invested as a limited partner in one of the operating
partnerships. In 1992, Tertiary purchased the Corporation's interest in two of
the 50/50 partnerships. In 1997, Tertiary purchased the Corporation's remaining
interest in the hotel partnerships by paying the Corporation $1,000,000 plus
all principal and accrued interest due as of the Closing date under outstanding
Promissory Notes.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                   RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  At the February 27, 1998 meeting of the Board of Directors and upon the
recommendation of the Audit Committee, Price Waterhouse LLP was selected as
the Corporation's independent accountants for the year 1998. Representatives
of that firm will be in attendance at the Annual Meeting and will have the
opportunity to make a statement if they wish to do so and will respond to
appropriate questions.
 
  The Audit Committee held two meetings in 1997 and was comprised of four
Directors: Carl H. Pforzheimer, III (Chairman), William D. Eberle, Alvin G.
Keller and Leonard M. Carroll. None of the Committee members is now, or has
within the past five years been, an employee of the Corporation. The Audit
Committee reviews the Corporation's accounting and reporting practices,
including internal control procedures, and maintains a direct line of
communication with the Directors and the independent accountants.
 
                        SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1999
 
  Any shareholder who wishes to place a proposal before the next Annual
Meeting of Shareholders must submit the proposal to the Corporation's
Secretary, at its executive offices, no later than November 18, 1998 to have
it considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting in
1999.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
  The Board of Directors does not know of any other business that will be
presented for action at the Meeting. Should any other matter come before the
Meeting, however, action may be taken thereon pursuant to proxies in the form
enclosed unless discretionary authority is withheld.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                               ampco pittsburgh
                               ----------------
- -PROXY-                                                                  -PROXY-


          This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

    THE UNDERSIGNED hereby appoints Louis Berkman, Robert A. Paul and Ernest G. 
Siddons as proxies with full power of substitution, to vote as specified below 
the shares of stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual 
Meeting of Shareholders of AMPCO-PITTSBURGH CORPORATION, to be held in The 
Conference Room, 33rd Floor, USX Tower, Pittsburgh, PA, on Tuesday, April 28, 
1998, at 10:00 a.m., and any adjournments thereof and to vote in their 
discretion on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.

WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED. IF NO 
DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED IN ITEM 1 
(OR, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES, THE SHARES MAY BE VOTED CUMULATIVELY).

PLEASE SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE and mail in the enclosed, postage prepaid envelope.



                             FOLD AND DETACH HERE
<PAGE>
 
                                                                Please mark
                                                               your vote as  [X]
                                                               indicated in
                                                               this example

1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:

          FOR           WITHHOLD
       (except as       authority
       directed)       to vote for
          [_]              [_]

(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write 
that nominee's name on the line below the names of the nominees for Directors.)

The election of Ernest G. Siddons and Leonard M. Carroll for a term expiring in 
2001.


________________________________________________________________________________


             All proxies heretofore given or executed with respect to the
             shares of stock represented by this proxy are by the filing of this
             proxy, expressly revoked.


                            PLEASE DO NOT FOLD, STAPLE OR DAMAGE.




Signature(s)____________________ Signature(s)____________________ Date__________

NOTE: Signature should conform exactly to name as stenciled hereon. Executors, 
administrators, guardians, trustees, attorneys and officers signing for a 
corporation should give full title. For joint accounts, each owner must sign.



                             FOLD AND DETACH HERE


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