Hi Mike.
Perhaps I am reading you wrong, but it seems that you think there is only one version of black-and-white photography - one range of tones in a correct image. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, black-and-white photography is far more versatile than color photography; there is no one correct starting point
You can change tones, separation, intensity, whites, and black levels. Fine art photography is exactly that, an art. And like any artist, it is unique to you. There is no one correct method or visualization.
So, at least in my own opinion, purchasing a black-and-white camera is at the peril of locking yourself into just a single visualization, when in fact what you want is complete and total freedom. There is no simple starting point.
You need to start experimenting and go through the same process every other artist has gone through: the slog and tedium of learning the craft.